I am a survivor of extremely severe ritualistic childhood abuse and sadistic systematic torture. This blog has helped me get my voice back and documents the journey I'm on to heal from the trauma and damage caused by that appalling abuse. Now is the time for me to tell of MY experience by speaking the truth about MY life. I will be silenced no more! On this blog I share MY life, MY healing journey; helpful quotes/stuff I come across and MY thoughts along the way. The more I speak out the more liberated I am from the shame and trauma of the abuse. My broken wings are gradually being repaired. Without God in my life I wouldn't still be here. But somehow, I keep on staying alive, surviving and rarely, occasionally, living a little!

Friday, 4 January 2013

This
Christmas was a truly good Christmas for me this year. I can see huge
progress and areas of healing. I've decided to use excerpts from my
diary of the trip as the easiest way of giving you an idea of what I
mean. I hope you can see the changes and progress as you read too!!

Sat
22/12/12

“I really enjoyed bumping into a couple of people at
Dover who I've travelled with at Christmas with Travelsphere. They
had switched to Leger like me when Travelsphere stopped their
Christmas tours. It was really nice to be recognised and welcomed and
it was great to see a couple of familiar faces too.”

“Being
pampered in Club Class on the ferry sipping champagne and looking
forward to smoked salmon sandwiches. It's so different and very
pleasant. It's a very rocky crossing and I'm glad to be in such a
comfortable environment, it makes it easier to cope with the choppy
conditions. It was a very pleasant way to make the ferry journey
indeed!”

“On
joining the coach I found myself sat next to a rather a large lady,
bigger than me, and I'm not particularly small either so we were very
cramped. She suggested I move to an empty seat as there are empty
seats. I was very happy to do so, she didn't come across as very
friendly towards me. I appreciate my space and don't like being so
physically close to someone else so I moved back to a seat with loads
of leg room. It's been a long day but an amazing one in many ways. I
amaze and surprise myself by the confidence of my interactions with
people now. It was incredible too that I didn't take the suggestion
to move personally, or as a rejection, but welcomed it as I was not
comfortable with the situation.”

Sun
23/12/12

“We stopped at services in Alsace that I've been to
before. I have wonderful memories of those services frozen and icy
with hoar frost, what lovely memories I have attached to that service
station! We drove on past Strasbourg and Colmar, down to Mulhouse and
the border at Basel. It was a lovely drive down to Luzern and on to
Giswil. It felt wonderful to be back on familiar territory throughout
the journey today!!”

“I felt
very anxious about going down to dinner and finding a table to sit at
but it worked out ok, I happen to be sat at the same table as the
person I should have been sat next to on the coach along with 2 older
couples. My opinion of her is changing, she's more friendly at the
dinner table than she was on the coach although I'm not comfortable
with her. But I was amazed at how relatively relaxed and confident I
was with the group at the table.”

Mon
24/12/12 – Christmas Eve

“During the journey to Luzern the
menus for the evening dinners for the rest of the holiday were passed
round. I noticed the first course for tonight is hard boiled egg in a
mayo sauce which there is just no way I can eat. Chris said to have a
word with her if you had a problem with anything on the menus so I'll
have to take hold of my courage when we get back this afternoon and
tell Chris I can't eat the first course. On arrival in Luzern we went
straight to the Lion Monument and wow, it did not disappoint. I had
heard from other people who have seen it that it is very moving to
see and it most certainly was. I felt very emotional looking at the
lion, the expression on it's face is incredible. I could not stop
photographing it! I also had a photo taken of me in front of it which
was great. It was an awesome thing to see and experience, very moving
and very compelling to look at and photograph. I was so chuffed about
how that worked out and really pleased to not have to be doing that
on my own as I had originally planned. It was the main thing I wanted
to make sure I did in Luzern and it was delightful doing it with the
group!”

“I
enjoyed exploring the newer part of Luzern which I didn't get to see
3-years ago when I was last here. On turning a corner I came across a
beautiful black Lamborghini, which I took a few photos of. I then
realised I was standing in front of a building with “Anfield”
all over the front of it. I discovered that it was Luzern's very own
official Liverpool FC Anfield sports bar. I couldn't believe my
eyes!! It really made my day finding that. I took several photos of
it to prove it was real!!”

“We had
a specially chartered boat for our cruise on Lake Luzern. It was
truly beautiful and wonderful. There was a commentary along the way
and the conditions were perfect, a little bracing on the water, but
not that cold. I had a fantastic time and was so focused on my
photography that I didn't give a thought to what anyone thought of
what I was doing, which I think was pretty amazing for me!! I
explored around Luzern taking loads of photos and rekindling memories
of 3 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed that!”

“On
arriving back at the hotel I had a word with Chris about tonight's
first course and fixed up to have a mixed salad instead. I didn't
that easy to do and was so proud of myself for finding my voice and
using it so constructively and positively. I'm so proud of myself too
for finding the courage to speak up to!”

“I have
had the most wonderful day in Luzern. It has been truly magical and
“magical” is a NOT word I've ever used in relation to my
life ever before!! It is absolutely wonderful to be able to say that
about today. Luzern is very special to me and it's meant a lot to me
to be able to go back, rekindle memories and see bits of Luzern I
didn't get to see in 2009. As we arrived back in Giswil there was a
mountain train heading up the Brunig Pass. I had such a treat
photographing it as it snaked it's way up. That was a massive bonus
and was the second event to really make my day!!”

“Dinner
was really nice. The mixed salad for the first course was very light
and tasty! I'm so glad I found the courage to do that because when
everyone else's starter came I knew I wouldn't have been able to cope
with eating it. I'm so mega proud of myself for finding the courage
to speak up about what I needed! That was a first for me. A MEGA
first too! We had a massive surprise during the meal. There was a big
Christmas tree in the room with loads of boxes of all kinds of
chocolate underneath it. Between the main course and pudding we were
invited to go up to the tree and choose a box of chocolates. That
blew me away, I wasn't expecting that. It felt really special for me
to walk up to the tree, bend down and choose a box of chocolates for
myself. It actually fulfilled a need I had but had hitherto been
unaware of! It was something I've never experienced to be invited to
go up to the tree and take a present for myself from it. It was
incredible and very healing and incredibly moving for me! Chris took
a photo of me choosing my chocolates under the tree.”

“After
the meal finished the rest of my table went to the bar for cigarettes
and drinks. I didn't have the courage to join them. Instead I took
some photos of the Christmas decorations around the hotel and the
impressive chandelier in the bar then went out with my camera and
took some night-time photos. The hotel looks very impressive all lit
up. I had a big treat too as a train came down the mountain, then
just as I was about to go back to the hotel a train went up the
mountain to go over the Brunig Pass. I was absolutely delighted about
that! What an incredible end to an extraordinarily amazing day! I'm
amazed at how I'm doing and with how I'm coping at the meal social
times. So far nobody has asked me any personal questions and my
confidence is growing. Tomorrow night is going to be a HUGE test for
me with music and dancing. Not really looking forward to that at
all!! I can't believe how this holiday is going and I can't believe
how well I'm dealing with all that's happening around me.”

Tues
25/12/12 – Christmas Day

“Today has been the most incredible
day! I think the happiest most light hearted I've ever been during
Christmas day. When I went to the coach in the morning Bryn was there
with a Christmas stocking full of small packages which you put your
hand in for a lucky dip. I must note at this point that I found it
very triggering to write the words “you put you hand in”.
Anyway I found myself with a lovely little very neat package which I
put away in my rucksack for later so I had a pressie to open up when
I got back at the end of the day. Chris had plastic cups of red or
white grape juice to take on the coach to use for a toast!
Intriguing!! I chose white grape juice. Once everybody had arrived
they got on the coach and suggested we raise a toast together to say
“Merry Christmas and a very happy 2013 to each other”.
That was really nice and very special!!”

“We had
an hour's free time at Lauterbrunnen so I had a very pleasant walk
through the village and got spectacular photos and video footage of
the huge waterfalls. That really made my day!! The weather forecast
for today had been grim but it stayed dry and bright all day which
meant the photo opportunities on the train ride up to Kleine
Scheidegg were endless! I got to take the photos I wanted to take
4-years ago but couldn't because of the fog. That gave me a feeling
of tying up loose ends – it's not the first time I've had that
feeling during this holiday! In fact everywhere I turn I have a
feeling of tying up loose ends. Amazing and slightly bizarre!! We had
our own private train up to Kleine Scheidegg so we went direct
without stopping except to let trains pass. I felt like a VIP!!!
While I was there someone from my table took a photo of me with the
Eiger behind me – which again tied up a loose end! That was the one
photo I had hitherto been unable to get. I was so pleased about that!
It was really special and really nice doing that trip and being there
with other people. It felt so different from when I'd done it alone
and was fantastic. I was amazed by how that felt!! On returning to
the coach there were mince pies or shortbread on offer - I had
shortbread and washed it down with a lovely Whisky Cream Liquor which
was very welcome and delightful.”

“Well
evening has come - I'm wearing my smart green trousers, smart cream
top and hoping it's smart enough for a “Gala dinner”. I feel all
glammed up though I've deliberately stayed away from make-up because
of how I feel when I wear make-up. I needed to make my outfit as easy
as possible for tonight and it had to be something I was relatively
comfortable about wearing (although not totally comfortable). At
least it's possible for me to be smartly dressed for such an occasion
without being too feminine about it! I successfully negotiated the
Gala dinner. The meal was wonderful. The turkey was paraded round the
room. I am very blessed to be at the table I'm at. They're very
friendly, warm, accepting and welcoming whilst not being intrusive
and it's great. We had a load of fun when Jingle Bells was played -
using spoons on glasses and bottles we provided our own accompaniment
and soon several other tables took it up and we did an encore. It
certainly got everyone smiling and laughing and yeah, it was mega fun
too!!”

“I am
astounded at how I coped with tonight, I've come a tremendously long
way! My sparkly cream top was appreciated and commented on by the
rest of my table which was nice. I was amazed that I could take the
compliments without feeling suspicious or afraid or wondering what
they really meant or really wanted. I'm just really proud of myself!!
It has been an incredible day and an incredible holiday so far. I am
allowing myself to enjoy it in my own way and am just so much more
relaxed around myself and in who I am.”

Weds
26/12/12 – Boxing Day

“At Meiringen I had my photo taken
sitting and standing with Sherlock Holmes at his statue in the centre
of the village, I really enjoyed making my acquaintance with him.
Also I had loads of fun train spotting at Meiringen train station. I
thoroughly enjoyed being back in Interlaken too and loved
re-acquainting myself with the town and train spotting at Interlaken
West station. The horse + carriage ride was a delightful hour which I
spent up at the front with the driver. It felt very high up and
precarious but I relaxed into it and trusted the driver that it was
safe. I also had to totally trust the driver for getting down because
getting down was not as easy as getting up and he had to tell me
where to put my feet. It was good to be back on the ground after
that!! “

“I
can't believe tonight is the last night, it has gone so incredibly
quickly. I'm looking forward to Paris. I cannot believe all I have
done, all I have seen and all how I have been on so many levels. It
has been an amazing holiday.”

“I was
a few minutes late to dinner as I lost track of time packing and
sorting things. When I got there I was greeted with “oh we were
really beginning to get really worried about you.” It was said
with so much compassion and caring it took my breath away. It
certainly was not an admonition!! I felt really cared for and it made
me feel very warm inside. The dinner was good, the food has been
fantastic throughout the holiday and the staff have been great too.
For pudding they paraded a big platter on which was a huge cake with
the words “good bye” written on both sides of it. It
turned out to be made of ice cream, sorbet, frozen fruit and
meringue. It was lovely and I had seconds! The menu had said
“surprise good bye cake” and we'd wondered what it meant.
I took photos of the cake when they paraded it round the room. At the
end of the meal I was invited to go to the bar and I did for a while
as it was the last night. It was a lovely wooden bar with a log fire
and a massive cow bell hanging from one of the rafters. The smell as
I walked in was amazing! It was very atmospheric. We sat and chatted
around the fire. When asked what I did I explained what my profession
is and that I can't work because of ill health but that I work for a
charity one day a week. I was asked what kind of youth work I've done
so I said and the response I got blew me away - “I really admire
you for what you do, that kind of work, I have a lot of admiration
for people who do work like that”. I felt enormous compassion
and respect and was blown away by it.”

In the
bar there was an old man from our coach there. He was full of all
sorts of tales and mischief , most of which was pure smut. Everyone
was laughing at his dirty antics and talk but all I could think was
“you filthy old man”. It was very triggering for me. I
couldn't sit there and listen and watch what was going on. I wanted
to spit at him, he revolted me. He obviously reminded me of my
grandfather and other paedophiles from that part of my childhood. But
I'm so proud of how I coped with it! I think a few months ago I would
not have been able to cope and would have probably run out of the bar
crying, or trying not to cry till I was out of it. Tonight, however,
I just sat there quietly until I couldn't take it any more, made my
excuses and left after about half an hour saying I was tired and
needed to pack which was true!”

Thurs
27/12/12

“It was an early start for the long drive to Paris, we
watched “The King's Speech” on the way which made time
pass quickly. I enjoyed half an hour sitting in the big comfy leather
seats in the lounge at the back of the coach, which was a real
treat!! Took several photos of it while I was there too!! And then on
to Paris – ah what can I say about Paris? I fell in love with
Paris, had a wonderful time!! The tour was phenomenal! We were
dropped off in the Latin Quarter with an hour and a half to eat and
explore. I ate in MacDonald's then found a creperie and had a
gorgeous Nutella crepe. I had a lovely gentle wander to Notre Dame
and got great photos of the River Seine and Notre Dame with the full
moon. The atmosphere was amazing! People were milling round, taking
photos, eating and so on. I felt totally safe wandering round. I had
been worried about that but it turned out that I had nothing to worry
about. On the way back to the coach I bought some souvenirs. In one
shop I had a brief conversation with the man who was serving – he
told me my French was very good. I was very flattered!!! The amazing
thing is I was flattered and I allowed myself to feel flattered. I
walked out of the shop feeling 12 feet tall! The other amazing thing
is I did not experience any negative arguments or comments within
myself during that interaction. I did not feel threatened by it
either which is incredible!”

The
whole holiday has been incredible. It's taken a lot of mental and
emotional energy to make it through but I am astounded at how I've
coped with all the amazing experiences of the last few days!

MY FAVOURITE BIBLE VERSES

IN YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS Prov 3:6THE LORD IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO WALK WITH INTEGRITY Prov 2: 7WHEN MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER FORSAKE ME, THEN THE LORD WILL TAKE CARE OF ME AND ADOPT ME AS HIS OWN CHILD Psalm 27: 10 (Amp)CAN A MOTHER FORGET HER NURSING CHILD? CAN SHE FEEL NO LOVE FOR THE CHILD SHE HAS BORNE? . . . I WILL NOT FORGET YOU Isaiah 49: 15I WILL COMFORT YOU . . . AS A MOTHER COMFORTS HER CHILD Isaiah 66: 13THE KING IS ENTHRALLED BY YOUR BEAUTY Psalm 45:11